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The ‘Longparish Loop’ also known as the ‘Nile Valley Railway’

There is another strand to the ‘Sprat and Winkle’ story. In 1882, an Act of Parliament was passed authorising the construction of a branch line of about 7 miles (11km) from Fullerton to Hurstbourne where it connected with the London and Salisbury mainline at the viaduct just south of St Mary Bourne (Stages 2 and 3). This branch line, which was completed in 1885, became generally known as the ‘Longparish Loop’ (the Loop), and Fullerton became Fullerton Junction.

The quiet remnants of Fullerton Junction (Stage 5/Walk 6)

It was an expensive project as it turned out. The hope and expectation was that the existence of this connecting line would encourage more traffic from Manchester and the midlands to Southampton rather than let a rival railway company construct a more direct line to Southampton through Didcot, Newbury, Whitchurch and Winchester. It was put to the promoters of the alternative line that they should ‘join forces’ to save the expense that would be incurred and instead make use of the Loop.